TRAVEL

 

Travelling in the time of Coronavirus 

 

 

 

‘Vennligst hold avstand’ (Please keep your distance)

 

 

We have two choices at the moment when it comes to travel; wait (travel later), or go.

There are a whole host of reasons why some of us will choose to travel, in spite of the virus. In the last 12 days we’ve been booked on four flights, stayed in three hotels and slept in 4 different beds. Everyone in hospitality has worked extra hard to increase customer safely. And there have been some benefits too.

So we’re sharing our experience of travelling at this time. If you are traveller, hopefully it will help you decide either way and maybe it will give the confidence to make plans.

So what do you need to know before you travel at this time? And what can you do to take some sensible precautions?

Pre- departure

Be in good contact with all the companies you are dealing with. Get info on their safety policy at this time. Talk directly.

We booked a trip with Hutigruten, who sail up the Norwegian coastline. We received information on safety on board and a guarantee,  that if they cancelled on us, our trip would have been fully refundable.

They called us two days before departure to ask “are you still coming?” They were calling all the non-Norwegian passport holders, (us two) to find out if they were in fact in the country.

The company asked us to complete a health questionnaire; sent by e mail. We had to complete a set of Qs. And we had to be approved for embarkation. We were encouraged by their efforts.

The approval was sent electronically. We had to show this at check in, at the Hurtigruten terminal in Bergen.

On board

At check in we were asked to open a cruise account, against which all purchases were registered on a touch-free card. This limited the use of cash and frequent contact with payment terminals.

Before sailing, all passengers were required to attend a special safety briefing. This was entirely focused on Coronavirus safely measures, to ensure that there was no spread of the virus on board.

There were temperature checks at the entrance to the restaurant, before breakfast, lunch and dinner. All passengers had to have their forehead scanned by a temperature reader, and be approved “normal temperature” to enter the restaurant. We received an additional temperature check if going off the ship, at the time of embarking. On one particular day we had our temperatures read five times.

Before moving to your table, you had to use anti-bac (hand sanitiser), an important measures against infection.

We were allocated a large table with four places, but set for the two of us. And that was our table for every meal. Passengers were seated for dinner at three different times. So the restaurant was never full.

The ship had replaced their usual buffet dinners, where people would line up for their meals. Instead we got a three course meal plated and brought to our table. It was a better service.

Hurtigruten assured us that the number of passengers had been capped. For the summer of 2020 they have stated that they will not sail with more than 50% capacity. The Trollfjord’s capacity is 850, so we expected no more than 425 people. The actual number on board was 260. At times we had the whole deck and the restaurant to ourselves.

We were on Hurtigruten’s second voyage after months of being moored in port. The staff took time to talk with us and they all said how happy they were to be back at work. Some staff told us that a big change was having all Norwegian passengers on board (people choosing to ‘holiday at home’) along with two other passengers. Us.

Flights

Before booking we spoke with the airline, who told us about their reduced capacity. You were only allowed to book two seats together if you were from the same household. One seat in three was being kept free.

We took the opportunity to do our check in online and our select seats away from other passengers.

Signage was displayed clearly in all the terminals – ‘Vennligst hold avstand’ (Please keep your distance)

Masks were mandatory during flights.

Hotels

All three hotels had clear signage for social distancing

Hotel 1 – Bergen

Our original booking was with a hotel close to the Hurtigruten terminal. The day before, we received a call to say that they had not re-opened that hotel yet. They upgraded us to their stylish sister hotel, by the Bryggen UNESCO site.

There were no other guests in reception when we arrived. we chatted with the reception staff. The restaurant had replaced their breakfast buffet with plated meals. The staff opened up an adjoining mirrored bar (the former stock exchange boardroom), where we were shown to our table. Using this additional space placed more distance between customers.

Hotel 2 – Tromso

We got a special rate online, as many businesses try to encourage travellers back; three nights for the price of one, including breakfast.

Again the restaurant plated breakfast items and covered these with cling film, so you just took your plate and sat at your table. The kitchen had sliced bread in packets, so customers were not sharing the use of a bread knife. Muffins and pastries were packed to go.

Hotel 3 – Oslo airport

We walked three minutes, from the terminal building to our hotel. Again we got a special rate, with breakfasts included for free. Breakfast was available in a large restaurant hall. Many tables had been removed.  Remaining tables were spaced apart.

Hot items were plated. Croissants, juices and joghurts were left out with trays, for guests to take back to their room. There was only one waitress clearing tables, wearing a mask.

We had a really good stay. There were very few guests. And we didn’t hear a plane even once!

All three hotels displayed clear signage, that no more than two people should share a lift.

In our rooms

We carried our own disinfectant wipes, to clean anything that you touch in a hotel room or cabin.

We opted not to have housekeeping come in daily to spruce the room or change sheets and towels. We had all that we needed.

Are these measures enough to stop the spread of the virus?

Who knows?

We followed the guidance given, complying with national guidelines issued by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

But we felt very re-assured that all the companies were adhering with clear guidance from the government.  Norway has had 8,855 confirmed Coronavirus cases. The lockdown began and the international border was closed mid March. A tracking system was in place. 249 people died across the country. Norway eased restrictions in May. The virus was not rife. But like everywhere, it’s a concern.

Ultimately, research the place that you are thinking of travelling to and find out about the action taken by the Ministry of Health in that country.

Travel safe. Go well.

 

Have you travelled or been away from home in the time of coronavirus? What was your experience?

 

 

© Maggie M /Mother City Time